Q. As a rosacea sufferer, which region of the United States is best to live in to avoid tripwires related to weather and climate?

A. It's true that weather conditions can affect rosacea in some individuals. For instance, a National Rosacea Society survey showed sun exposure is a major rosacea tripwire for 61 percent of sufferers, hot weather for 53 percent, wind for 38 percent and cold weather for 36 percent. Another survey found most sufferers are affected by the change in seasons, with summer usually the hardest time of year to endure.

Yet despite these statistics, rosacea appears to be fairly evenly represented among the local populations throughout the United States. If you comply with prescribed medical therapy and take the necessary precautions to protect against climate-related tripwires, you should be able to live wherever you choose.

Q. Are rosacea sufferers more likely to get skin cancer later in life?

A. No medical evidence has linked rosacea with skin cancer or suggests that rosacea sufferers are more likely to develop skin cancer later in life. It is important that you consult your dermatologist if you have any signs of possible skin cancer, such as a mole that is enlarged or asymmetric, or has an irregular border or varying color. Although unrelated to rosacea, skin cancer is a potentially fatal disease whose incidence has been on the rise.